LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – An apple a day keeps the doctor away so we’ve been told, and Michigan’s estimated apple harvest for 2023 could spell 32 million bushels – roughly 1.3 billion pounds – and hopefully fewer visits to the doctor. 

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The 2023 apple crop harvest estimate ranks above average for the state for the second year, which recorded 32.38 million bushels harvested in 2022 according to the USDA, just 8 million more bushels than the state’s annual average. 

“This fall brings the second large Michigan Apple crop in a row for our industry,” Executive Director of the Michigan Apple Committee, Diane Smith said. “As growers continue to plant high-density orchards and adopt other innovative growing practices, Michigan’s apple crop will continue to grow.” 

According to the Michigan Apple Committee, which released a 2023 Harvest Schedule last week on social media, declared that two of its thirteen apple varieties can be harvested in August.  The Paula Red will be available beginning on Aug. 23 and is “pleasingly tart” while the Ginger Gold will be available two days later and whose highlighted quality is that it “stores well” adding several other details including, “Hates to be confused with Golden Delicious,” Michigan Apples Officials said, “Loves to be baked into pies and made into applesauce.  Gingery-sweet taste.” 

According to the chart, the Cripps Pink Apple will be available the latest in the season, beginning at the end of October. 

Apple season varies depending on the location in the state, but according to Travel-MI, Michigan’s great variety of apples affords many people options for where to visit in the fall. 

“The best month for apple picking in Southern Michigan is mid September through mid October,” according to Travel-MI. “There are several Michigan apple orchards for picking apples in Southern Michigan such as Hubbard’s Corey Lake Orchards in Three Rivers and Stover’s Farm Market & U Pic in Berrien Spring.”

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There is even an interactive map, which includes Apple Orchards from throughout the lower peninsula for those interested in knowing more about the orchards. 

“Michigan had mostly favorable weather conditions for growing apples during spring and summer 2023. While some regionalized losses occurred due to frost and hail, overall, our state’s growers report a very healthy crop with great looking fruit,” said Smith.

On a global scale, the U.S. is falling behind other countries, such as China and six others for the title of largest area of apples harvested. 

“In terms of area harvested, China still tops the list at 5.2 million acres, but by this metric, the U.S. falls to seventh in the world with slightly more than 290,000 acres,” according to the USApple Industry Outlook 2023 Report. “India moves into the number two spot, followed by Russia, Turkey, Poland and Iran.” 

Furthermore, China has been leading the world in apple production at 2.4 billion bushels in 2021 – roughly 49% of the world supply – and in the same year Turkey bumped the U.S. to the third largest apple producer in the world, though predictions from the China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native Produce via the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) the country is expecting an increase in yield. 

“China’s 2023 estimated production will be up by 3% year over year to around 2 billion bushels,” the USApple Industry Outlook report said. “If accurate, this would represent an increase of around 57 million bushels – roughly equivalent to the combined production of New York and Michigan.” 

According to Smith, Michigan apples are available nearly year round and are the largest and most valuable fruit crop in the state, which are the result of more than 14.9 million apple trees in commercial production– covering more than 34,000 acres on 775 family run farms in the state.